As we watch the Spanish coastline disappear behind us we can’t help but think about what lies in store for us in Africa. Our minds are filled with images portrayed in the media but also questions as to the true nature of Africa. Will we encounter corruption, disease or violence? What about fairness, well-being and harmony? We know that in order to gain an understanding of the African people we’ll need to communicate with them. We have confidence in our ability to communicate with people but will we be able to share in their stories as well as ours? Will we make a horrible faux pas and be boiled in a cannibal’s cauldron of human soup? We realize that it’s impossible for us to have complete confidence going into a territory that is so unknown to us. This uncertainty creates anxiety and warms our skin with anticipation. Excitement is really the only word for it and adventure is what lies ahead.